I have it's sister, a BST-57V white relic, again with no backplate, it's my main gigging guitar, despite my love for Les Pauls, a Strat suits our music better, and I like a relic as you don't worry too much about the odd ding!

I agree with Mike, it's a shame to refinish a perfectly good Strat, especially a white one, if you find a gold one I'll take that off your hands!